Soup box container

ABSTRACT

A blank for a sleeve includes a plurality of panels, each of the plurality of panels hingedly coupled to an adjacent one of the plurality of panels. A top panel is hingedly coupled to an end of a first one of the plurality of panels. The top panel includes a first section and a second section hingedly coupled to the first section. The first section has an aperture formed therein. The aperture is configured to receive a portion of a container therethrough. The second section has a recess formed in an edge thereof. A first flap is hingedly coupled to an end of a second one of the plurality of panels. A retaining tab is formed in in a least one of the first flap and the second one of the plurality of panels.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container for transporting food products andmore particularly to a container assembly for transporting and thermallyinsulating soup.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many commercial prepared food retailers, restaurants, catering services,and the like provide catering, delivery, or to-go services for consumersfor multi-person gatherings such as meetings, parties, or other events.Due to factors such as speed, affordability, and health, soup has becomean increasingly common and desired food option for consumers. In orderto provide for multi-person gatherings, portable bulk soup containersexist in order to transport the soup from the food provider's facilityto the designated location of the gathering.

However, many problems exist in transporting soup. Initially, certainsoups must maintain a certain range of temperatures for qualityassurance and/or regulatory reasons. Current containers are unable tosubstantially maintain the desired range of temperatures of the soup.Additionally, soup ladles or other similar serving utensils are thesimplest and most efficient means for serving soup from the container toan individual. However, some hulk soup containers do not provide anopening that is large enough or an ergonomic shape that is conducive toreceive the soup ladle or serving utensils while also providing anefficient means for filling the container with the food product.Furthermore, some bulk soup containers can be unwieldy and unable towithstand the weight of the bulk soup. Certain containers can also bedifficult to assemble.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a portable container assemblyfor transporting soup that is sturdy, ergonomically configured, andsubstantially maintains a desired temperature of the soup that can alsobe easily manufactured and assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Compatible and attuned with the present invention, a portable containerassembly and method of assembling a portable container assembly fortransporting soup that is sturdy, ergonomically configured, andsubstantially maintains a desired temperature of the soup that can alsobe easily manufactured and assembled has surprisingly been discovered.

According to an embodiment of the invention a blank for a sleeve isdisclosed. The blank includes a plurality of panels each hingedlycoupled to an adjacent one of the plurality of panels. A top panel ishingedly coupled to an end of a first one of the plurality of panels.The top panel includes a first section and a second section hingedlycoupled to the first section. The first section has an aperture formedtherein. The aperture is configured to receive a portion of a containertherethrough. The second section has a recess formed in an edge thereof.A first flap is hingedly coupled to an end of a second one of theplurality of panels. A retaining tab is formed in at least one of thefirst flap and the second one of the plurality of panels. A portion ofthe retaining tab is detachable from the at least one of the first flapand the second one of the plurality of panels.

According to another embodiment of the invention a container assemblyfor use in containing a food product is disclosed. The containerassembly includes a receptacle having a mouth defining an opening. Thereceptacle is configured to receive a liquid or semi-liquid foodproduct. The container assembly includes a sleeve. The sleeve has aplurality of sidewalls forming a cavity. The sleeve includes a coverhingedly coupled to a first one of the plurality of sidewalls andmoveable from an open position to a closed position. The cover includesa top wall and plurality of partitions extending from the top wall. Afirst one of the plurality of partitions has a depression formed on aninner surface thereof. A retaining tab is hingedly coupled to a secondone of the plurality of sidewalls. The retaining tab cooperates with thedepression in the closed position of the cover to maintain the cover inthe closed position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a kit includes atleast one blank formable into a sleeve. The sleeve including a pluralityof sidewalls and a cover hingedly coupled to a first one of theplurality of sidewalls. The cover includes a plurality of partitionsextending therefrom. A first one of the plurality of partitions has adepression formed on an inner surface thereof. A second one of theplurality of sidewalls has a retaining tab hingedly coupled thereto. Theretaining tab cooperates with the depression to maintain the cover in aclosed position. The kit includes at least one receptacle configured tocontain at least one of a liquid and a semi-liquid food product. Thereceptacle has a mouth defining an opening. The kit further includes atleast one insulation layer configured to envelope the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention,will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from readingthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawingswhich:

FIG. 1 is an assembled left side perspective view of a containerassembly according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein a lid ofthe container is in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded left side perspective view of the containerassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 an assembled top perspective view of the container assembly ofFIGS. 1-2, wherein the lid of the container is in an open position andportions of a sleeve of the container are partially cut away;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the container assemblyof FIG. 1 taken along the line 4-4, wherein a retaining tab is engagingwith a depression formed in the lid of the container;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a blank for forming the outer shell of thecontainer assembly of FIGS. 1-4; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a blank for forming an outer shell of acontainer assembly according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various embodiments of the invention. The description anddrawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use theinvention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention inany manner. The terms “bottom,” “top,” and “side” are for purposes ofrelative orientation only and not as an absolute position. In respect ofthe methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, andthus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a portable container assembly 10 configured tocontain and transport a liquid or semi-liquid food product such as soupaccording to an embodiment of the invention. However, it is understoodthe container assembly 10 can be used to contain other food productssuch as sauces, gravy, dips, drinks, or any other liquid, non-liquid, orsemi-liquid food products, as desired. The container assembly 10includes a receptacle 12, an insulation layer 14, and a sleeve 16.

The receptacle 12 is configured for receiving the food product and mayor may not include a handle. In certain embodiments, the receptacle 12is formed of plastic such as high density polyethelyne configured totolerate a food product with a high temperature. Other materials such aspolypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene pterethalate (PET), polyvinylchloride (PVC), or other plastics can be employed depending on thedesired food product, and the temperature thereof, to be received in thereceptacle 12. However, it is understood the receptacle 12 can be formedfrom any durable material as desired such as metal or foam, for example,without departing from the scope of the instant disclosure. In anon-limiting example, the receptacle 12 is a bulk soup receptacleconfigured to contain soup in bulk such as a receptacle configured tocontain 64 ounces or 128 ounces. The receptacle 12 is configured tocontain food products having temperatures of about 180 degreesFahrenheit or 82.2 degrees Celsius.

The receptacle 12 includes an annular mouth 17 defining an opening 18configured to receive the food product and a serving utensil 15therethrough. The mouth 17 can be any diameter as desired. In anon-limiting example, the diameter of the mouth is 89 to 110 millimetersor greater to facilitate receiving the utensil 15. A lid 19 is coupledto the mouth 17 of the receptacle 12 to selectively cover the opening 18of the receptacle 12. The receptacle 12 is any receptacle such as abottle or pouch, for example, configured to hold food products accordingto safety and regulatory requirements.

The receptacle 12 is at least partially received by the insulation layer14. The insulation layer 14 is configured to insulate the receptacle 12containing the food product and substantially maintain a temperaturethereof. In certain embodiments, the insulation layer 14 is configuredto substantially maintain the temperature of a cold food product orsubstantially maintain the temperature of a hot food product. In certainembodiments, the insulation layer 14 is a preformed, metallized,single-bubble, Y-Fold wrap formed by a heat seal process that envelopesa portion of the receptacle 12. However, the insulation layer 14 can beany material configured to insulate the receptacle 12 such as a foam, anexpanded polystyrene (EPS), a wood based material, a foil, or any othermaterial or combination of materials configured to insulate the foodproduct, for example. Additionally, it is understood the insulationlayer 14 can envelope an entirety of the receptacle 12, if desired.

The receptacle 12 and the insulation layer 14 are received within thesleeve 16, wherein the insulation layer 14 is interposed between thereceptacle 12 and the sleeve 16. The sleeve 16 is collapsible andincludes a bottom 25 having an automatic bottom set-up, constructed bymeans of hinged-together bottom flaps (further described hereinbelow),that securely closes the bottom 25 of the sleeve 16. However, it isunderstood the sleeve 16 can include other types of bottoms now known orlater discovered without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thesleeve 16 is formed from a material such as solid bleached sulphate(SBS) paperboard, E-flute natural kraft corrugated, or any other stylefiberboard. The sleeve 16 includes a first sidewall 26 a, a secondsidewall 26 b, a third sidewall 26 c, and a fourth sidewall 26 dcooperating with each other to define a cavity 28 for receiving thereceptacle 12 and the insulation layer 14. It is understood, the sleeve16 can include any number of sidewalls such as more than four sidewallsor fewer than four sidewalls, as desired.

The sleeve 16 includes a cover 20. The cover 20 has a top wall 21, afirst partition 30 a, a second partition 30 b, and a third partition 30c. The top wall 21 is hingedly coupled to the fourth sidewall 26 d formovement between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, and an openposition, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. The partitions 30 a, 30 b, 30 c extendfrom the top wall 21 and partially overlap the first sidewall 26 a, thesecond sidewall 26 b, and the third sidewall 26 c in the closedposition. It is understood more than or fewer than three partitions canbe employed, as desired. In certain embodiments, a slot 22 is formed inthe top wall 21. The slot 22 is configured for receiving the utensil 15.More than one slot 22 can be formed in the cover 20, as desired, toreceive various utensils.

In the embodiment illustrated, the cover 20 further includes a pair oftabs 32 cooperating with a pair of slits 34 configured to facilitateforming and reinforcing the cover 20. The pair of slits 34 are formedadjacent an edge of the top wall 21 and the pair of tabs 32 extend fromthe first partition 30 a to engage with the pair of slits 34.

The cover 20 includes a rim 23 defining an aperture 24 formed in the topwall 21 thereof. The aperture 24 is configured to receive a portion ofthe receptacle 12. The aperture 24 substantially corresponds to a shapeof the mouth 17 of the receptacle 12. In the embodiment illustrated, therim 23 includes a substantially curvilinear portion 23 a and asubstantially linear portion 23 b to define a segmented circular shapeof the aperture 24. The linear portion 23 b is configured to engage witha portion of the receptacle 12 to secure the cover 20 in the closedposition. However, it is understood the rim 23 can include any number ofcurvilinear or linear portions to define any shape of the aperture 24,as desired, such as circular, ovular, polygonal, or any other shape forexample.

The sleeve 16 further includes a handle 36 coupled thereto andconfigured to facilitate transporting the container assembly 10. Thehandle 36 shown is an elongate plastic rope handle having substantiallyT-shaped ends. Each of the ends of the handle 36 is inserted through arespective slot 38 formed in the second sidewall 26 b and the thirdsidewall 26 c of the sleeve 16. The ends of the handle 36 engage with aninterior surface of the sidewalls 26 b, 26 c so that the handle 36 cansupport the container assembly 10 during transportation thereof It isunderstood other handle types and configurations can be used, asdesired.

The sleeve 16 further includes a first flap 40 a, a second flap 40 b,and a third flap 40 c hingedly coupled to and extending from the firstsidewall 26 a, the second sidewall 26 b, and the third sidewall 26 c,respectively. The flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c are configured to convergeinwardly towards the mouth 17 of the receptacle 12 retained in thesleeve 16. In the closed position, the flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c aredisposed beneath the top wall 21 of the cover 20, wherein the cover 20cooperates with the flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c to maintain an inwardlyconverging position of the flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c with respect to thesleeve 16. When the cover 20 is in the closed position, the flaps 40 a,40 b, 40 c disposed beneath the top wall 21 are substantially concealedby the top wall 21. In the embodiment shown, the sleeve 16 includesthree flaps 401, 40 b, 40 c and the edges 42 of the flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40c have an arcuate shape to correspond to a substantially circular shapedmouth 17. It is understood, the sleeve 16 can include any number offlaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c such as one flap, two flaps, four flaps, fiveflaps, six flaps, eight flaps, etc. The flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c cooperatewith the cover 20 to facilitate improved insulation and durability ofthe container assembly 10.

As more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, a depression 44 is formed onan inner surface 45 of the first partition 30 a of the cover 20. Thedepression 44 is formed on the inner surface 45 of the first partition30 a of the cover 20 at a distance from a distal edge of the firstpartition 30 a. It is understood the depression 44 can be formed on thesecond partition 30 b or the third partition 30 c, if desired. Thedepression 44 is configured to receive a retaining tab 48 hingedlycoupled to the first sidewall 26 a of the sleeve 16. In the embodimentillustrated, the retaining tab 48 is hingedly coupled to an upper end ofthe first sidewall 26 a. However, it is understood the retaining tab 48can be coupled to the first sidewall 26 a at a distance from the upperend of the first sidewall 26 a.

In the open position of the cover 20, the retaining tab 48 extendsoutwardly from the first sidewall 26 a. In the closed position of thecover 20, the retaining tab 48 folds against an outer surface of thefirst sidewall 26 a. Advantageously, in the closed position, theretaining tab 48 cooperates with the depression 44 to maintain the cover20 in the closed position. An edge 49 of the retaining tab 48 engages aperimeter surface 43 defining the depression 44 to prevent the cover 20from pivotally moving from the closed position. It is understood theretaining tab 48 can be coupled to the second sidewall 26 b or the thirdsidewall 26 c, if desired. Additionally, the depression 44 can be formedon the second partition 30 b or the third partition 30 c to correspondto the position of the retaining tab 48, if desired.

The depression 44 has a shape substantially corresponding to a shape ofthe retaining tab 48. As shown, the depression 44 and the retaining tab48 have a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of bevelledcorners. However, the depression 44 and the retaining tab 48 can haveother shapes, if desired. The depression 44 has a depth substantiallyequal to a thickness of the retaining tab 48 to militate against amovement of the first partition 30 a outwardly from the sleeve 16.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shell 16 is formed from a one-piece blank 50made from a corrugated material, flute styled corrugated fiberboard, orany other style corrugated fiberboard. However, similar paper-basedmaterials, having similar performance characteristics, may be employedif desired as well as corrugated plastics or non-corrugated plastics, orother foldable material. The blank 50 includes a first panel 52, asecond panel 54, a third panel 56, and a fourth panel 58 to form therespective sidewalls 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d. The panels 52, 54, 56, 58are each hingedly coupled to at least one adjacent panel 52, 54, 56, 58along fold lines 51. The fold lines 51 can be formed by perforations,scored marks, or any other means to hingedly couple the panels 52, 54.56, 58 to each other. A securement tab 59 is hingedly coupled to thesecond panel 54 and configured to facilitate formation of the sidewalls26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d.

The blank 50 further includes a first bottom flap 62 hingedly coupled toa first end of the first panel 52, a second bottom flap 64 hingedlycoupled to a first end of the second panel 54, a third bottom flap 66hingedly coupled to a first end of the third panel 56, and a fourthbottom flap 68 hingedly coupled to a first end of the fourth panel 58.The bottom flaps 62, 64, 66, 68 cooperate with each other to form thebottom 25 of the sleeve 16. The bottom flaps 62, 64, 66, 68 are eachhingedly coupled to the respective panels 52, 54, 56, 58 along foldlines 61. The fold lines 61 can be formed by perforations, scored marks,or the like, for example. In certain embodiments, the second bottom flap64 and the third bottom flap 66 can include securement tabs 69 hingedlycoupled thereto to facilitate formation of the bottom 25 of the sleeve16. Although, it is understand additional securement tabs 69 can beincluded on any of the bottom flaps, as desired.

The blank 50 further includes the flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c as describedhereinabove. The first flap 40 a is hingedly coupled to a second end ofthe first panel 52, the second flap 40 b is hingedly coupled to a secondend of the second panel 54, and the third flap 40 c is hingedly coupledto a second end of the third panel 56. The flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c areeach hingedly coupled to the respective panels 52, 54, 56 along foldlines 41. The fold lines 41 can be formed by perforations, scored marks,or the like, for example. The retaining tab 48 is formed in the firstflap 40 a and is defined by a portion of the fold line 41 and aperforated line 41 a.

A top panel 70 configured to form the cover 20 of the shell 16 ishingedly coupled to a second end of the fourth panel 58 along a foldline 71. The fold line 71 can be formed by perforations, scored marks,or the like, for example. The top panel 70 is divided into a firstsection 72, a second section 74, a third section 76, and a fourthsection 78. The sections 72, 74, 76, 78 are hingedly coupled to eachother along fold lines 81. The fold lines 81 can be formed byperforations, scored marks, or the like, for example.

The first section 72 is disposed adjacent the fold line 71 and forms thetop wall 21 of the cover 20. The first section 72 includes the aperture24 and the pair of slits 34 for receiving the pair of tabs 32 formedtherein. In certain embodiments, the first section 72 additionallyincludes a knock-out portion 80 for forming the slot 22 of the cover 20of the shell 16. The knock-out portion 80 is disposed adjacent the foldline 71 and is defined by a portion of the fold line 71 and a perforatedline 82. However, it is understood, the knock-out portion 80 can bedisposed at any portion of the top panel 70 as desired and can beconfigured to be completely removed or hingedly coupled to the firstsection 72.

The second section 74, the third section 76, and the fourth section 78form the partitions 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, respectively. The third section 76and the fourth section 78 each extend laterally from opposing sides ofthe first section 72. An engagement tab 90 is hingedly coupled to eachof the third section 76 and the fourth section 78 along fold lines 91.The engagement tabs 90 are configured to facilitate formation of thecover 20. The second section 74 extends from the edge of the firstsection 72 opposing the fold line 71. Each of the third section 76 andthe fourth section 78 has a substantially constant width. A first end ofeach of the third section 76 and the fourth section 78 adjacent thepanels 52, 54, 56, 58 is tapered, wherein the width decreases at aconstant rate towards the panels 52, 54, 56, 58. The tapered first endmilitates against an interference of the third sub-section 76 and thefourth sub-section 78 with the respective flaps 40 b, 40 c.

The second section 74 is divided into a first sub-section 84 adjacentthe first section 72, a second sub-section 86, and a third sub-section88. The sub-sections 84, 86, 88 are hingedly coupled to each other alongperforated fold lines 92. The first sub-section 84 and the thirdsub-section 88 each have a width substantially equal to a second end ofthe third section 76 and the fourth section 78. The second sub-section86 is disposed intermediate the first sub-section 84 and the thirdsub-section 88 and has a width substantially equal to a thickness of theengagement tabs 90. The pair of tabs 32 extend outwardly from a distaledge of the third sub-section 88. The third sub-section 88 includes arecess 93 formed intermediate the pair of tabs 32 in the distal edge ofthe third sub-section 88. It is understood the top panel 70 can includeother configurations as desired. For example, the top panel 70 caninclude any number of sections and sub-sections to form the cover 20.

To assemble the shell 16 from the blank 50, the sidewalls 26 a, 26 b, 26c, 26 d are formed by folding the panels 52, 54, 56, 58 along the foldlines 51 and securing the securement tab 59 to the first panel 52. Thebottom flaps 62, 64, 66, 68 are folded along the fold lines 61 andcooperate with each other to form the bottom 25 of the sleeve 16. Theflaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c are folded along the fold lines 41 to convergeinwardly with respect to the shell 16. The top panel 70 is thenmanipulated to form the cover 20 of the shell 16.

To form the cover 20, the second section 74, the third section 76, andthe fourth section 78 are folded along fold lines 81 towards thesidewalls 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d. The third section 76 and the fourthsection 78 form the second partition 30 b and the third partition 30 c,respectively. The engagement tabs 90 are then folded along fold lines 91towards each other to abut an inner surface of the second section 74 atthe first sub-section 84 thereof. The second section 74 is folded uponitself along the fold lines 91 to envelope the engagement tabs 90 andform the first partition 30 a. The second section 74 envelopes theengagement tabs 90 so the first sub-section 84 is substantially parallelto the third sub-section 88 and the second sub-section 86 issubstantially perpendicular to the first sub-section 84 and the thirdsub-section 88. The pair of tabs 32 cooperate with the pair of slits 34to maintain the second section 74 in a position enveloped about theengagement tabs 90 to form and reinforce the first partition 30 a. Therecess 93 of the third sub-section 88 cooperates with the firstsub-section 84 to form the depression 44 in the first partition 30 a ofthe cover 20.

Once formed, the cover 20 can then be folded about the fold line 71 tomove from the open position to the closed position as desired. Theretaining tab 48 can be detached along the perforated line 41 a toposition the retaining tab 48 in a position extending outwardly from thefirst sidewall 26 a and the first flap 40 a of the sleeve 16. Theknock-out portion 80 of the blank 50 can be separated along theperforated lines 82 and folded along the fold line 71 to form the slot22 for receiving the utensil 15.

To assemble the container assembly 10, the receptacle 12 is positionedwithin the insulation layer 14 so that the insulation layer 14 eitherpartially or entirely envelopes the receptacle 12. The sleeve 16 can bestored flat and easily opened by forming and securing the bottom 25. Thereceptacle 12 and insulation layer 14 are positioned within the sleeve16 so the sleeve 16 covers a substantial portion of the receptacle 12and insulation layer 14. The flaps 40 a, 40 b, 40 c are folded about thefold lines 41 and are urged to an inwardly converging position to engagewith the mouth 17 of the receptacle 12 or the lid 19. The cover 20 ismoved from the open position to the closed position so that the mouth 17and the lid 19 are received through the aperture 24 formed therein. Asthe cover 20 moves from the open position to the closed position, theinner surface 45 of the first partition 30 a contacts the retaining tab48 and applies force thereto. The force applied to the retaining tab 48causes the retaining tab 48 to pivot about the fold line 41 and foldagainst the outer surface of the first sidewall 26 a of the sleeve 16.In the closed position, the retaining tab 48 is received in thedepression 44 of the cover 20. The edge 49 of the retaining tab 48engages the perimeter surface 43 of the depression 44 to prevent thecover 20 from moving towards the open position and maintain the cover 20in the closed position. Additionally, in certain embodiments, thesubstantially linear portion 23 b of the rim 23 engages with the mouth17 and/or the lid 19 to maintain the cover 20 in the closed position.

Each of the ends of the handle 36 are inserted through a respective slot38 formed in the second sidewall 26 b and the third sidewall 26 c sothat the container assembly 10 can be easily and safely transported. Theutensil 15 can be inserted through the slot 22.

In application, the receptacle 12 is filled with a food product such ashot soup. The mouth 17 of the receptacle 12 facilitates quick transferof the food product to the receptacle 12. The lid 19 is coupled to thereceptacle 12 to close the opening 18. Advantageously, the insulationlayer 14 insulates the food product within the receptacle 12 therebyfacilitating a minimal temperature drop over a period of time such asthe time of travel from the food retailers to a designated deliveryevent location. The sleeve 16 further facilitates insulation andprovides a portable containing means for transporting food products. Theconfiguration of the sleeve 16 is durable and easy to assemble.

In non-limiting examples, the container assembly 10 can militate againsta temperature drop of more than 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit per hour. Incertain embodiments, a kit can be provided, manufactured, or sold thatincludes at least one blank 50 for forming the shell 16, at least oneinsulation layer 14, and at least one receptacle 12. The kit can includethe blank 50 unassembled, fully assembled or partially assembled as theshell 16. The kit can also include the utensil 15, the handle 36, andother component desired for transporting the food product.

It is understood that the container assembly 10 can be assembled eitherprior to filling the receptacle 12 with the liquid or semi-liquid foodproduct or after filling the receptacle 12 with the liquid orsemi-liquid food product. In certain embodiments, the container assembly10 can be pre-assembled and packaged in bulk shippers and delivered inunits of six or twelve, for example, to the food retailers, restaurants,caterers, etc.

According to this embodiment, the retail food providers only arerequired to remove the lid 19, fill the receptacle 12 with the foodproduct, replace the lid 19, and provide the take-out, delivery, orcatered service.

FIG. 6 illustrates a blank 50 according to another embodiment of theinvention. The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 6 to describethose components that are similar to the components of FIG. 1 withoutfurther description with a leading numeral “1”. The blank 50 illustratedin FIG. 6 is substantially similar to and assembled in substantially thesame manner as indicated hereinabove with reference to the blank 50 ofFIG. 5, except the position of the retaining tab 48 on the firstsidewall 26 a, the configuration of the third section 76 and fourthsection 78 of the top panel 70 forming the cover 20, and the shape ofthe edge 42 of the first flap 40 a are different from the blank 50 ofFIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a first portion of the retaining tab 48 isformed in the first panel 52 and a second portion of the retaining tab48 is formed in the first flap 40 a. The retaining tab 48 is defined bya fold line 98 and the perforated line 41 a. The fold line 98 is formedin the first panel 52 at a distance from the fold line 41. It isunderstood, the retaining tab 48 can be formed entirely on the firstpanel 52, if desired. The position of the retaining tab 48 on the blank50 depends on the width of the first sub-section 84 and the thirdsub-section 88 forming the first partition 30 a of the sleeve 16. Thelarger the width of the first sub-section 84 and the third sub-section88, the further the fold line 98 can be positioned on the first panel 52from the fold line 41.

In the embodiment illustrated, a second end of each of the third section76 and the fourth section 78 opposing the first end adjacent the panels52, 54, 56, 58 is also tapered, wherein the width increases at aconstant rate away from the panels 52, 54, 56, 58 towards the fold line91. The tapered second end of each of the third section 76 and thefourth section 78 accommodates an increase in the width of the firstsub-section 84 and the third sub-section 88. It is understood the widthof third section 76 and the fourth section 78 can be constant or varyingat any portion thereof. For example, the width of the third section 76and the fourth section 78 can decrease at a constant rate from the foldline 91 to the fold line 71.

The edge 42 of the first flap 40 a is substantially arcuate as describedhereinabove with reference to FIG. 5 and includes a linear portion 102.The linear portion 102 is configured to engage with a portion of thereceptacle 12 to maintain the inwardly converging position of the firstflap 40 a with respect to the sleeve 16. In the embodiment shown, thefirst flap 40 a includes the linear portion 102. However, it isunderstood the second flap 40 b and the third flap 40 c can also includea linear portion to maintain the inwardly converging positions thereof.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art caneasily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and,without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usagesand conditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A blank for a sleeve comprising: a plurality ofpanels, each of the plurality of panels hingedly coupled to an adjacentone of the plurality of panels; a top panel hingedly coupled to an endof a first one of the plurality of panels, the top panel including afirst section and a second section hingedly coupled to the firstsection, the first section having an aperture formed therein, theaperture configured to receive a portion of a container therethrough,the second section having a recess formed in an edge thereof; a firstflap hingedly coupled to an end of a second one of the plurality ofpanels; and a retaining tab formed in at least one of the first flap andthe second one of the plurality of panels, a portion of the retainingtab detachable from the at least one of the first flap and the secondone of the plurality of panels.
 2. The blank of claim 1, wherein a shapeof the retaining tab substantially conforms to a shape of the recess. 3.The blank of claim 1, wherein the retaining tab is formed in the firstflap and a perimeter of the retaining tab is defined by a fold line anda perforated line.
 4. The blank of claim 1, wherein the retaining tab ispartially formed in the second one of the plurality of panels and aperimeter of the retaining tab is defined by a fold line and aperforated line.
 5. The blank of claim 1, wherein a third one of theplurality of panels is disposed intermediate the first one of theplurality of panels and the second one of the plurality of panels. 6.The blank of claim 5, wherein the third one of the plurality of panelsincludes a second flap hingedly coupled to an end thereof.
 7. The blankof claim 1, wherein the first section of the top panel includes a pairof slits and the second section includes a pair of tabs extending fromthe edge thereof, the pair of tabs aligning with the pair of slits, therecess formed intermediate the pair of tabs.
 8. The blank of claim 1,wherein the top panel includes a third section and a fourth sectionhingedly coupled to and extending laterally outwardly from the firstsection, each of the third section and the fourth section having a firstend adjacent the plurality of panels and a second end opposite the firstend, wherein the first end is tapered.
 9. The blank of claim 8, whereinthe second end of each of the third section and the fourth section istapered.
 10. A container assembly for use in containing a food productcomprising: a receptacle having a mouth defining an opening, thereceptacle configured to receive a liquid or semi-liquid food product; asleeve having a plurality of sidewalls forming a cavity, the sleeveincluding a cover hingedly coupled to a first one of the plurality ofsidewalls and moveable from an open position to a closed position, thecover including a top wall and plurality of partitions extendingoutwardly from the top wall, a first one of the plurality of partitionshaving a depression formed on an inner surface thereof; and a retainingtab hingedly coupled to a second one of the plurality of sidewalls, theretaining tab cooperating with the depression in the closed position ofthe cover to maintain the cover in the closed position.
 11. Thecontainer assembly of claim 10, further comprising an insulation layerat least partially enveloping the receptacle and retained by the sleeve.12. The container assembly of claim 10, wherein an edge of the retainingtab engages a perimeter surface defining the depression in the closedposition of the cover.
 13. The container assembly of claim 10, whereinthe retaining tab folds against an outer surface of the second one ofthe plurality of sidewalls in the closed position of the cover.
 14. Thecontainer assembly of claim 10, wherein the sleeve includes a flaphingedly coupled to the second one of the plurality of sidewalls, theflap configured to converge towards the receptacle, the flap disposedbeneath the cover in the closed position of the cover.
 15. The containerassembly of claim 14, wherein an edge of the flap has an arcuate shape.16. The container assembly of claim 15, wherein the edge of the flap hasa linear portion.
 17. A kit comprising: at least one blank formable intoa sleeve, the sleeve including a plurality of sidewalls and a coverhingedly coupled to a first one of the plurality of sidewalls, the coverincluding a plurality of partitions extending outwardly therefrom, afirst one of the plurality of partitions having a depression formed onan inner surface thereof, a second one of the plurality of sidewallshaving a retaining tab hingedly coupled thereto, the retaining tabcooperating with the depression to maintain the cover in a closedposition; at least one receptacle configured to contain at least one ofa liquid and a semi-liquid food product and having a mouth defining anopening; and at least one insulation layer configured to envelope thereceptacle.
 18. The kit of claim 17, further comprising a utensil. 19.The kit of claim 17, further comprising a handle.
 20. The kit of claim17, wherein the sleeve includes a flap hingedly coupled to the secondone of the plurality of sidewalls, the flap configured to convergetowards the receptacle, the flap disposed beneath the cover in theclosed position of the cover.